Ladders are common across construction sites, warehouses, workshops and maintenance departments. Because they are used so frequently, damage can easily be overlooked unless workers follow a consistent inspection process.
A ladder inspection does not need to be complicated. A structured pre-use check can help identify missing parts, damaged components and stability problems before someone climbs.
When should a ladder be checked?
A pre-use check should be completed:
- Before the ladder is used for a work task
- By the person who will use the ladder
- At the beginning of the working day
- After the ladder has been dropped or struck
- After it has been moved from one environment to another
- Whenever there is reason to believe its condition may have changed
HSE guidance states that a pre-use check should always be carried out to identify obvious visual defects before a ladder is used.
Pre-use checks are separate from any scheduled, detailed inspections required by the employer’s ladder management procedure.
Ladder inspection checklist
Inspect the ladder from top to bottom in a well-lit area. Do not use it until the check has been completed.
1. Stiles or side rails
The stiles are the main vertical parts of the ladder.
Check for:
- Bends
- Cracks
- Splits
- Dents
- Corrosion
- Twisting
- Unauthorised drilled holes
- Poor-quality repairs
A bent or damaged stile can affect the overall strength and stability of the ladder.
Do not attempt to straighten a bent ladder unless the manufacturer has provided an approved repair process.
2. Rungs and steps
Check every rung or step for:
- Cracks or deformation
- Missing sections
- Excessive wear
- Oil, mud, paint or grease
- Loose connections
- Movement when pressure is applied
- Damaged anti-slip surfaces
Contaminated steps should be cleaned before use. A missing or damaged rung is a reason to remove the ladder from service.
3. Ladder feet
The feet help prevent the ladder from slipping.
Make sure:
- Both feet are present
- The feet are firmly attached
- The material is not excessively worn
- There is no embedded debris
- The feet are suitable for the floor or ground surface
On a stepladder, all four feet should make contact with the ground and the steps should remain level.
4. Locking mechanisms
For stepladders, platform steps and extending ladders, inspect every locking component.
Check that:
- Locks engage fully
- Hinges move correctly
- Spreader bars are straight
- Hooks are not distorted
- Springs and catches operate as intended
- Components are not obstructed by paint or dirt
Never use a stepladder with a locking mechanism that will not fully engage.
5. Platform and handrails
If the ladder has a working platform, inspect:
- Platform hinges
- Platform supports
- Guardrails or handrails
- Fixing points
- Surface condition
- Anti-slip features
The platform should sit level and lock into its intended position.
6. Rope, pulleys and guides
On extension ladders, check that:
- The rope is not frayed or cut
- Pulleys rotate properly
- Rope ends are secure
- Guides are not bent
- Sections extend smoothly
- Locks engage evenly on both sides
Do not use a makeshift rope or an improvised replacement component.
7. Labels and identification
Important safety labels should remain readable.
Check for:
- Manufacturer details
- Product standard markings
- Maximum load information
- Instructions and warning labels
- Asset or inspection identification
Missing labels may make it difficult to confirm how the ladder should be used.
Inspect the area as well as the ladder
A ladder can be in good condition but still be unsafe because of where or how it is positioned.
Before use, check that:
- The ground is level and firm
- The ladder will not rest on loose materials
- Doors nearby are secured
- Vehicle routes are controlled
- Overhead hazards have been considered
- The ladder can be secured where reasonably practicable
- The task can be completed without overreaching
- The correct ladder has been selected
HSE advises that ladders should only be used where they can be positioned safely, remain level and stable, and be secured where reasonably practicable.
What should happen when a defect is found?
Do not leave a defective ladder where another person may use it.
Follow a clear process:
- Stop using the ladder
- Attach a “Do Not Use” notice where appropriate
- Move it to a designated quarantine area
- Report the defect to the responsible person
- Record the issue according to the company procedure
- Arrange an approved repair or disposal
Do not rely on verbal warnings alone.
Pre-use checks and detailed inspections
A pre-use check is a quick visual check completed by the user. A detailed visual inspection is more formal and may be carried out at scheduled intervals by a competent employee.
HSE explains that detailed inspections are similar to pre-use checks but are undertaken more thoroughly to identify defects. Pre-use checks do not normally need to be recorded, although any problems should be reported.
The frequency of detailed inspections should reflect:
- How often the ladder is used
- The environment
- The type of work
- Manufacturer instructions
- Previous damage or misuse
- The employer’s risk assessment
How ladder inspection tags can help
A ladder inspection tag can provide a visible location for recording information such as:
- Ladder identification number
- Inspection date
- Inspector’s name or initials
- Inspection result
- Next inspection date
- Defects or comments
Tags make the inspection status easier to find, especially when a business manages multiple ladders across several departments or sites.
However, an inspection tag does not make a ladder safe by itself. It must support a properly managed inspection system.
Create a consistent ladder inspection process
An effective ladder inspection system should include:
- A ladder register
- Unique asset identification
- Defined inspection intervals
- Trained or competent inspectors
- Pre-use checks
- A clear defect-reporting procedure
- Quarantine arrangements
- Inspection records
- Replacement planning
Consistency is more important than simply attaching a tag and assuming the process is complete.
Support your ladder inspection programme
BearTOOLS supplies ladder inspection tags, holders, inserts and complete inspection kits to help workplaces communicate inspection status clearly.
Explore BearTOOLS ladder safety solutions and create a more visible, consistent checking process.
